In November, ARMA sent a letter to the Chancellor on behalf of all the organisations supporting those who live with MSK conditions. The letter outlined the impact of the cost of living crisis and considerations for his tax and spending decisions.
Category: Health Policy
A view from Wales: Overly optimistic or truly evolutionary, time will tell.
Reflection from the national clinical co-leads for the Welsh national musculoskeletal clinical Network
Dr Meinir Jones, General Practitioner, Associate Medical in HDUHB;
Dr Rob Letchford, Consultant Physiotherapist MSK rehabilitation in CAVUHB
Six months into these new roles, we find ourselves reaching a peak of optimism and enthusiasm for the future. In the aftermath of a devastating two years that has negatively affected so many, and left previously stretched health services with unprecedented challenges, that seems a ridiculous position to hold. Perhaps it’s our optimism (given the positive effects on health we recommend that you try it out too!).…
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NICE publishes osteoarthritis guideline
NICE publishes guideline on Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management.
This guideline (published 19 October 2022) covers the diagnosis, assessment and non-surgical management of osteoarthritis with the aim to improve both management of and quality of life for people with the condition.
Versus Arthritis Cost-of-living crisis
On World Arthritis Day, Versus Arthritis sought to shine a light on the crisis people with arthritis are facing this winter — by calling on the Prime Minister to take urgent action to protect them.
In September, Versus Arthritis surveyed almost 4,000 people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions to ask how the cost-of-living crisis was affecting them, and the results were staggering: 94% of people saying that cold weather has a negative impact on their condition, but 84% are using less fuel because of rising costs.…
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Another new Government
by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA
Local and national
Another new Government, another new(ish) Secretary of State for Health. From an MSK perspective, what should their priorities be? There are a few things that need to happen nationally, but my first thoughts are that we don’t now need a multitude of new government targets and promises. A lot of what is needed is local and local systems need to be given the space to deliver.
At a local level there are three things I think Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) need to do to deliver on MSK.…
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NICE update on falls guideline
NICE guideline on Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and people 50 and over at higher risk (update)
NICE has just published the final scope and equality impact assessment for these guidelines alongside all the stakeholder comments received (including NICE’s response).
A week to focus on health equalities
I was delighted last week to be able to join NHS England’s Health Inequalities Improvement Board to present on the importance of MSK health for equalities. I am also delighted that Bola Owolabi, Director of NHS England’s National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, has written the guest blog for the October issue of our newsletter.
We’ve chosen to highlight equalities during Bone and Joint Week this year because it is critically important. Poor MSK health contributes to and exacerbates health inequalities. MSK is fundamental to our ability to work, socialise, move, eat a good diet – in fact, all the things that enable us to stay healthy.…
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Guest blog: Narrowing the gap
by Bola Owolabi, Director, National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme
Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society. They arise because of the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. These conditions influence how we think, feel and act and can impact both our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
This #BoneJointWeek I am delighted to see the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance’s commitment to taking action to narrow musculoskeletal health inequalities, particularly with regards to listening to the experiences of underserved communities and working in partnership to improve care.…
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Thinking wider about workforce
I saw a tweet this morning from a local provider partnership seeking exercise instructors willing to train in falls management. The challenge of workforce is ever present in the NHS right now. I think we need to think more creatively and use the breadth of the workforce we have if we are ever to deliver on our ambition to improve the MSK health of the population and ensure excellent services for those who need them.
Community MSK is the backbone of MSK.…
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Community-powered MSK Health?
It’s been exciting in the last two years to be working with the BestMSK Health team at NHS England, and now also with MSK improvement work in Wales. There’s been lots of talk about co-production, self-management support, reducing inequalities and a focus on prevention. The direction is very much one that ARMA can support. Then I read A Community Powered NHS from New Local and I started to wonder if we are being brave enough, going far enough, thinking big enough.…
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